"Automatic" is a collaborative album between musicians Bill Sharpe and Gary Numan. Released in 1989, it's the outcome of one of the more unique partnerships in the history of synthpop. The project came into existence when Bill Sharpe, a member of the jazz fusion group Shakatak, asked Gary Numan, an icon in the electro-pop music scene, to collaborate on a new project. The idea of combining Sharpe's jazz-fusion sensibilities with Numan's electronic style was seen as innovative at the time.
"Automatic" contains a fusion of funk-influenced music and electronic pop, which was a departure for both artists, more so for Numan, who at the time was known for a colder, more robotic style. The album is distinctive for its blend of synthesizer-dominated pop and soulful male vocals. The project is a combination of both artists' inputs into each track.
The album is comprised of nine tracks, all composed and performed by Sharpe and Numan. Six of the tracks had previously been released as singles between 1984 and 1986, while three were specially recorded for the album. The most popular songs from the album are "Change Your Mind" and "New Thing From London Town" which had prominent chart status in the UK.
While the album did not match the commercial success of Numan's solo work or Sharpe's with Shakatak, it did receive positive reviews and is held in high esteem by fans of both artists. "Automatic" has been praised for its experimentation and fusion of styles, which helped to redefine the genre of synth-pop during the late 80s and early 90s. Despite the varied styles, the pair ensured a cohesive sound throughout the album.
